Meet the NYC-CBT Leadership Team.

President

Jessica Latack, Ph.D.

It is an honor to write to you as the incoming President of NYC-CBT. What has always distinguished this organization is the strength of its community, and as I step into this role, I find myself reflecting on the importance of connection—both within our profession and in the work we do every day. Connection is at the heart of effective therapy, meaningful collaboration, and the vibrant professional community we have built together.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our outgoing President, Lindsay Tulchin, whose leadership has strengthened this organization in ways that will benefit our members for years to come. Lindsay has been a thoughtful, dedicated, and generous steward of NYC-CBT, and we are deeply grateful for the strong foundation she leaves for us to build upon.

Our mission as an association is to advance the practice of cognitive behavioral therapy, support the professional growth of our members, and promote access to evidence-based care throughout our community. As I begin my term, I am excited to focus on several key priorities:

Deepening Connection Among Members

I want NYC-CBT to be a place where colleagues not only learn together, but genuinely know and support one another. To help foster those connections, we will continue to host regular networking events. We are also developing a searchable membership directory that will make it easier to identify colleagues by specialty, population, or clinical approach—whether for consultation, referrals, collaboration, or simply conversation. Strong professional communities do not emerge by chance; they are built through intentional opportunities to connect.

Expanding Access to Evidence-Based Practice and Thought Leadership

Our field continues to evolve, and staying current is both essential and challenging. NYC-CBT will continue to provide members opportunities to learn directly from leading voices in CBT through workshops and presentations that translate cutting-edge research into practical clinical tools.

Investing in Students and Early-Career Professionals

Mentorship has long been one of the greatest strengths of our field, and I believe it should remain a defining feature of our organization. Students and early-career clinicians bring fresh perspectives, curiosity, and energy to our community. By creating meaningful opportunities for mentorship and professional development, we can help cultivate the next generation of CBT practitioners and leaders.

The continued success of NYC-CBT depends on the engagement, ideas, and contributions of its members. Each of you brings valuable expertise, experience, and insight that enriches our community. Through our shared commitment to learning, collaboration, and service, we can continue to strengthen our organization and expand our impact.

In the years ahead, I hope you will remain actively involved, share your ideas, and take advantage of opportunities to connect with fellow members. Together, we can build on the remarkable foundation that has already been established while continuing to advance the practice and understanding of CBT.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this organization and look forward to working alongside all of you in the years ahead.

  • Director and Founder, Central Park Psychological Services

  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College

  • Supervising Psychologist, The Motherhood Center of New York

  • Website: www.centralparkpsych.com

Past President

Lindsay Tulchin, PhD

As I reflect on my time as President of NYC-CBT, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served this organization and, most importantly, this community.

One of the things I have valued most about NYC-CBT is the way our community continues to show up for one another -to learn together, connect, share ideas, and strengthen the work we do. Over the past two years, our board has worked incredibly hard to create meaningful opportunities for both education and connection, from outstanding workshops and presentations to networking events that brought our community together in a more informal way. I am so appreciative of the time, energy, creativity, and commitment each member of the board has contributed.

I’m also excited that one of the initiatives we’ve been working toward, a new NYC-CBT membership directory, will be rolling out soon. My hope is that it will make it even easier for our members to find one another, connect, collaborate, and refer within this wonderful professional community.

As I step into the role of Past President, I am thrilled to welcome Jess Latack as NYC-CBT’s next President. I have the utmost trust in Jess’s ability to lead this organization. She brings thoughtfulness, dedication, good judgment, and a genuine commitment to NYC-CBT, and I know the organization will be in excellent hands under her leadership.

It has truly been an honor to serve as President. Thank you to our board, our members, and everyone who has participated in and supported NYC-CBT. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited to remain involved as Past President.

  • Private Practice, New York, NY (and PSYPACT)

  • Partner and Director, NY Cognitive (www.nycognitive.com)

  • Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College

  • Adjunct Clinicial Supervisor, Yeshiva University Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

  • Website: www.lindsaytulchin.com

  • Dianne Hezel, Ph.D.

    President-Elect/Events Co-Chair

    Private Practice, New York, NY

    Clinical Researcher, Center for OCD and Related Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute

    Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology in Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

    Website: www.diannehezelphd.com

  • Robert Leahy, PhD

    Honorary Lifetime President

    Distinguished Founding Fellow - Academy of Cognitive Therapy

    Recipient of Aaron T Beck Award

    Clinical Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry - Weill Cornell Medical College

    Recipient of Outstanding Clinician Award, ABCT

    Author/Editor of 29 books (in 23 languages)

    Former President of ABCT, Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy

    Website: www.cognitivetherapynyc.com

  • Olivia Sahlman, Psy.D.

    Executive Secretary - Membership Chair

    Licensed clinical psychologist - New York Anxiety Treatment 

    Supervisor - New York Anxiety Treatment

    Graduate of Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

    Website: https://www.nyanxietytreatment.com/staff

  • Marina Gershkovich, Ph.D., ABPP

    Treasurer

    Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice

    Board-Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology

    Adjunct Faculty, NYU Silver Post-Master's Certificate in Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    Website: www.drgershkovich.com

  • Rachel Freed, Ph.D.

    Representative at Large

    Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, New York, NY

    Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    Website: www.rachelfreedphd.com

  • Mary Gallagher, Psy.D.

    Representative at Large/ Events Co-Chair

      Private Practice, Brooklyn, NY

    Adjunct Clinical Professor at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

    Website: https://www.drmarycgallagher.com

Our Committees

EVENTS

  • Dianne Hezel -Co-Chairperson

  • Mary Gallagher -Co-Chairperson

  • Miranda Beltzer

  • Lily Durwood

  • Amanda Kornblum

  • Marisa Radulescu

  • Paige Scrofani

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

  • Rachel Freed - Chairperson

  • Lindsay Tulchin

  • Jenna Feldman

  • Sharon Batista

  • Jesse Finkelstein

  • Madeline Schupak (tech/social media)

MEMBERSHIP

  • Olivia Sahlman - Chairperson

Founding Members

  • Anne Marie Albano, PhD

  • Doris Chang, PhD

  • Suzanne Davino, PhD

  • Susan Evans, PhD

  • Baruch Fishman, PhD

  • Jonathan Kaplan, PhD

  • Robert Leahy, PhD

  • Lata McGinn, PhD

  • Deborah Melamed, PhD

  • Alec Miller, PhD

  • Katherine Muller, PsyD

  • Lisa Napolitano, PhD

  • Simon Rego, PsyD

  • Laura Reigada, PhD

  • Shireen Rizvi, PhD

  • Robert Schachter, EdD

  • Dennis Tirch, PhD

  • Deborah Walder, PhD

  • Rene Zweig, PhD